Tiger Guards

Chapter 443 Three Years Period
As the clouds dispersed and the sun shone through, Zhao Ji went out of the city to inspect the road conditions.

After five consecutive days of rain, the fields were soaked, but the main roads, thanks to their paved surfaces and good drainage, did not show any significant damage.

However, the Honggou River was surging with water, and the Sui River, which was half-dried up and intermittently stopped flowing, also overflowed.

This resulted in the inability to quickly cross the river after the withdrawal of troops.

Therefore, Zhao Ji preferred to wait two or three more days until the marching conditions were better, so that he could better deal with any unexpected events that might occur during the withdrawal.

Upon his return to the city, Zhang Hong brought him the latest military order: "Grand Marshal, this morning scouts conducted reconnaissance, and the General also sent a messenger to report as usual. The General has moved his garrison to Xiangcheng, and his vanguard general Wei Yue has led his troops down the Ying River to Ruyin, facing Yuan Shu's rebel army across the Huai River; another detachment led by Gao Shun has raided southwest of Runan and has reached Anfeng, located west of Shaopi. This is the letter sent by the General."

"Wei Yue has only just arrived in Ruyin? He hasn't even reached the north bank of the Huai River yet, so how can we talk about being separated by the Huai River?"

Zhao Ji frowned and reached out. The furthest reconnaissance range of his scout squad was the north bank of the Huai River. They could cross the Huai River before, but since the strong winds passed, the Huai River has swelled and floods have spread everywhere. His scouts could not cross the Huai River, and the scout squads that had crossed the Huai River before would also have difficulty withdrawing.

Therefore, Wei Yue currently has no way to clash with or engage in any conflict with Yuan Shu. Even if Wei Yue were to arrive on the north bank of the Huai River, he would only be able to watch helplessly.

Normal military operations can only be carried out after the overflowing floodwaters recede.

He then broke the mud seal and read Lü Bu's handwritten letter. Seeing Zhang Hong's curious expression, Zhao Ji smiled and asked, "What do you think he would say in the letter, Mr. Zigang?"

"The General's actions are unpredictable; how could I possibly fathom them?"

"Sir, please don't be so modest. He remains stubborn, saying that there are still traitors in the country and that the opportunity to fight is fleeting. Otherwise, he would lead a thousand cavalry north to compete with me in archery."

While Zhao Ji was speaking, he also handed the handwritten letter to Zhang Hong to read. Based on his understanding of Lü Bu, Lü Bu might really have such thoughts. It was one thing to win back the situation by competing in archery, but he probably also wanted to take the opportunity to accidentally shoot one of his subordinates who was not a big deal.

Zhang Hong read quickly, his expression grave: "Judging from this, if the Grand Marshal returns to the Central Plains next year, the General will surely bring up the old matter again and invite the Grand Marshal to compete in archery?"

"What's so difficult about that? I won't be coming next year."

Zhao Ji gestured with his arm and led Zhang Hong back to the prefectural governor's mansion. As they walked down the corridor, Zhao Ji said, "I don't want to come back next year, or even the year after. The Central Plains is so vast; let him indulge himself for a few more years. In the fifth year of Jian'an, when the weather is cool in spring and summer, I will go to Xuchang again to pay my respects to the emperor."

"Three years later?"

Zhang Hong murmured softly, his gaze fixed on Lü Bu's letter in his hand. Three years later would mean the emperor would turn twenty.

By then, it won't just be Lü Bu, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, who will be affected; Zhao Ji, the Left Vice Minister who is also a regent, Fu Wan, the Grand Secretary, and the five Attendants of the Secretariat will also be impacted.

The Three Departments system was advocated by the Zhao family, so theoretically the Zhao family should uphold this system.

When the emperor truly assumes personal rule, the ministers who have patiently accumulated power over the past three years will also join him in seizing power.

The first to be impacted was Lü Bu, and after Lü Bu fell, the Zhao family would inevitably be next.

Zhang Hong then observed Zhao Ji's profile. Zhao Ji's expression remained unchanged, but he still couldn't hide his anger, which he didn't conceal: "Our army has just finished the war in Guanzhong and should have been resting and recuperating the officials and people. As a result, he caused the riots in Xuchang and rashly moved to Nanyang, which led to the isolation of Prince Chen and his death at the hands of Yuan Shu. The situation in the Central Plains deteriorated and almost became unmanageable!"

"The emperor and the high officials were already dissatisfied with losing power, so they sat and watched the outcome. I disregarded the recovery of the rear and led the long-fighting army to protect the country and fight against Yuan. But Cao Cao had just died and Yuan Shu's decline was already evident, so he couldn't help but turn against me. It's not that I hate him for turning against me, but I dislike his impatient and eager manner. I feel deeply ashamed to be ranked alongside him."

Zhao Ji let out a long sigh, then changed the subject: "When we withdraw this time, I'll bring his grandson with me. Let's see if he still wants to compete with me in archery!"

Zhang Hong smiled upon hearing this, and he began to look forward to that scene as well.

Lü Bu was known for being a widow, having no brothers, nephews, or other relatives.

Given the current situation, Zhao Ji doesn't feel he's lost out. He led over 40,000 people to the Central Plains and ate for three months, with a maximum capacity of four months.

How much grain did it save for the rear?

The withdrawal would allow them to take a large number of people with them, and it would also give them leverage in a conflict with Lü Bu... They don't need to use this, but Lü Bu can no longer rely on their influence, and that's enough.

Just wait quietly. The nobles have learned their lesson after I repeatedly broke their legs.

This time, even though he wished he could fight Lu Bu to the death, he refrained from making any underhanded moves, ultimately because he was afraid of retaliation from himself or Lu Bu.

It was precisely because there was a highly probable hope that these officials and even the emperor behaved so obediently, instead of giving up and resorting to desperate measures.

The emperor and high-ranking officials are poised to strike and are not easy to deal with. Liu Bei, Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, and Sun Ce are all difficult to subdue. Furthermore, the vassal states he supports will become a stumbling block for Lü Bu.

So three years later, the net formed by these forces, even if it can't strangle Lü Bu, will make him so uncomfortable that he sticks out half of his tongue!
Today, Cao Cao's former subordinates gradually gathered in Puyang.

However, the presence of Guanzhong troops stationed in Baima City and Baimajin Water Fortress upstream made it inconvenient for Cao Cao's army to cross the river.

Now, Cao Cao's entire army has abandoned the crimson uniforms they used before and is now using white flags and uniforms.

Cao Ang inspected the eastern camp of the city, where the troops stationed there were dressed in mourning attire. Cao Ang himself wore a white robe and black lacquered armor, with a coarse hemp short jacket over it and a mourning sash tied around his forehead.

His appearance was originally just above average, but now he has a solemn and reserved demeanor. Wearing mourning clothes and armor, he appears heroic and dignified. In terms of temperament alone, he has surpassed his father.

In the military camp, Cao Hong, dressed in white robes and golden armor, led Cao Ang on a tour of the various camp areas.

After the inspection, they gathered inside the main tent.

The map was hanging on a wooden lattice screen. Cao Ang sat in the first seat on the right, with Cao Anmin, Xiahou Shang, Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu, and a group of young men dressed in mourning and armor standing behind him.

To stabilize morale and prevent the army from being leaderless in case of an accident, Cao Ang invited Cao Pi back from Yuan Shao. Cao Pi was short and stout with a youthful face and a face full of acne. He stood among the young men and blended in with the crowd.

Sitting on the left side were his paternal uncles Cao Hong and Cao Bin, Yu Jin, Li Zheng, Lü Qian, Lü Zhao, Yue Jin, and others, while Cheng Yu stood in front of the map, holding a bamboo stick and pointing to various parts of the map, explaining the recent changes in the situation.

As for Xun Yu and Guo Jia, after withdrawing from the front lines, they returned to eastern Yanzhou with Cheng Yu to gather their troops.

Cheng Yu controlled Jiyin, which was closest to Chenliu. Therefore, after gathering his men, Cheng Yu quickly withdrew and met up with Li Zheng and Li Dian in Fan County to escape the attack by Gan Ning, Zhang Liao, Zhang Yang, Chen Gong, and Taishi Ci.

Xun Yu dispatched officials and soldiers to escort the families of the generals to Dong'e to evacuate first. He and the follow-up troops were a step behind and were surrounded by Sun Fu. Subsequently, Taishi Ci was driven north by Gan Ning. After Taishi Ci joined the siege, the Cao army that failed to evacuate from Dong'e surrendered after being persuaded by Taishi Ci and Sun Fu, and together they marched eastward to Jinan.

Along the way, they continued to sweep away enemy forces and grow stronger, and are now outside the range of Cao Cao's reconnaissance.

Guo Jia probably stayed with Xun Yu and was also taken to Qingzhou.

As for Xiahou Yuan, he and Cao Ang's uncle Cao Ding stayed behind to guard Puyang.

Cheng Yu pointed to Chenliu and paused, then said, "Although the Zhao traitor and the Lü traitor have not fought, they are at odds and can hardly join forces. The Lü traitor, in order to hold the emperor and his ministers hostage, dares not stray far from Xuchang. Therefore, his campaign south to attack Yuan Shu is, in my opinion, nothing more than a show of force to appease the grievances of the people. Hence, the Lü traitor's army is unwilling to cross the Huai River. As a result, the Zhao traitor, fearing an attack from the rear, dares not fight us alone."

After summarizing the current situation, Cheng Yu looked around at the adults, youths, and boys in the tent: "If General Right is willing to send troops to Hanoi, and our army follows behind the Zhao traitor, it will be difficult for him to escape unscathed this year, and it will be difficult to transport the men and women he has abducted back to Xizhou."

All eyes turned to Cao Ang, who spoke up: "I will write to the Right General about this matter. If the Right General finds it difficult, our army should also take action. If we allow the Zhao traitor to retreat to Xizhou so easily, wouldn't that mean we have no one left in Guandong?"

It's not that we have to fight Zhao Ji, but as his father's killer, Cao Ang should have the attitude and stance to fight Zhao Ji.

The army is no longer able to fight, and the strength of the old troops from Qiao and Pei cannot be further depleted. If they are moved to Hebei in the future, Yuan Shao will certainly not care about the people of Qiao and Pei, and will find various ways to wear them down.

Only by preserving as much strength as possible can we gain a foothold and a chance to catch our breath under Yuan Shao's control.

Otherwise, if the troops were decimated, they would inevitably be absorbed and reorganized into other units by Yuan Shao.

After being worn down by Yuan Shao, they were demoted and reassigned to other generals, who would certainly also wear down the people of Qiao and Pei.

Just like before, the people of Qiao and Pei exhausted various surrendered generals and newly surrendered generals. This has been the rule throughout history. When fighting a tough battle, how can you send your own people to their deaths?
When outsiders come to serve, they must endure hardship and bleed, and only after they have shed enough blood and incurred sunk costs can they be considered barely reliable.

If Cao Cao were still alive, he could naturally use the people of Liangpei and Yanzhou as his backbone, and drive the Qingzhou soldiers and newly surrendered troops as his vanguard to wear them down.

But Cao Cao is gone, and the original system of Cao Cao's army has collapsed and needs to be reorganized.

Although Cao Cao's army currently possesses field combat capabilities, these are limited to the forces of Cao Hong and Xiahou Yuan. If they suffer even slightly greater losses, Cao Cao's army could collapse at any moment.

Unless Cao Hong and Xiahou Yuan can deliver a fatal blow at the start of the war, gaining a decisive advantage and achieving a sweeping victory.

Only in this way can we motivate people like Yue Jin, Li Zheng, and Yu Jin; otherwise, these people, worried about their future, would not be willing to expend their troops.

Without Cao Cao's authority, these people were not only difficult to command, but they also found it difficult to command their own troops and allies.

Therefore, there are obstacles in the chain of command from the bottom up, and we cannot entirely blame these people for assessing the situation and having ulterior motives.

After Cao Ang expressed his opinion, Cheng Yu continued, "Zhao Yun, the garrison commander of Baima, is a former general of Gongsun Bogui and Liu Bei. Zhao Yun considers him a confidant, and he is said to be extremely brave and skilled in commanding cavalry. The terrain outside Baima City is open, which is advantageous for him. He is not good at naval warfare. If we can persuade the garrison in Liyang to send their navy to attack Baima Ferry, our army can provide support from afar and contain Zhao Yun's main force. This may have a remarkable effect."

Upon hearing this, everyone began to whisper among themselves, discussing the feasibility of the matter.

If we destroy the Xizhou fleet at Baimajin, our crossing of the river will no longer be hindered, and Zhao's supply lines will be exposed.

Otherwise, if the Baimajin fleet blocks the river, the route from Honggou to the Yellow River, and then upstream to Luoyang and Mengjin in Henan, would be very safe, and Zhao's various forces could transport people and supplies at will.

Just as they were discussing this, a military officer quickly entered and handed Cheng Yu a scroll of military intelligence.

Cheng Yu took the document and glanced at it: "It's too late now. A spy reported that Zhao's troops and the Jinfan bandits and Gan Ning's troops have taken tens of thousands of men and women and are sailing upstream against the Ji River. Gan Ning's main force is about to move to Baimajin."

(End of this chapter)